Zex Model

What a great time to talk to Paul Von Aphid about his band Zex Model and the release of 'Mind Slaughter'. I had a chance to ask him some questions about the music, the scene and his future plans.

I first heard Zex Model on a link posted in the Violent Playground music forum a while back. This prompted me to check out 'First Mutation'. The five tracks carve out a debut splattered with elements from days gone by. What started the process of the formation of Zex Model?

- "Well, it was all about my love to smoke weed and listen to Nettwerk, WaxTrax back-catalog, as well all that new bands like White Car, VALIS. In September 2012, somewhere around that date, I discovered that there also Youth Code (And checked like first ever their live video). And after thoughts "why I cant't do the same?" I started to compose the tracks randomly one day. I remember it was early September, grey skies, and through 5 hour session I composed like 4 skeletons of tracks (3 of 'em ended up on EP and LP finally)."

What is the music scene like in Russia in general? How do you fit in?

- "Lack of organization, labels, etc, sadly. But we had interesting current bands now, but more in guitar-based vein, not so much interesting electronic music (to me at least). As for the "fit in"... I don't know, I just don't care if I fit "in" or not, really."

Russia seems to employ a tough standard when it comes to subversive music and censorship. How would you describe your message in the songs you write? Do you keep this in mind when you write music or play live? We continually hear about Pussy Riot in the US news. I have also read about the punk artist Televizor. What are your thoughts on this being from Russia?

- "Well, Pussy Riot sentence is not good, but foreigners kinda get the different angle of whole situation instead of us. Though... I read on BBC UK that Pussy Riot ask to boycott Russian Olympic Games 2014, and can't find the similar information in Russian internet/news sector (oh, wait, two small articles after like 18 hours, and one of em from Ukraine). Well, all that tendencies scare me, but hope we the situation will get better. But not sure.
About the Televizor - yeah, it's one of the good old bands of the soviet underground. We had a few more, and in fact i love that old scene much more, than Russian current one. Promyshlennaya Arhitekura, Alien, Pat Holman, Zazerkalie, etc etc etc."

You seem to pretty active on social media. You have developed some relationships with other artists like Blush Response. How has this helped you up to this point? Who have you worked with so far and who would like to work with in the future?

- "Well. Not super active, but Im trying to know everybody more or less connected to "New Body" scene kinda in personal way... As for the Blush Response - well I remember that band, because he was the first ever artist that I saw on Bandcamp back in mid 2010, so of course I remembered Joey, and it was fine, when like two years after we became pen-pals. Outside of Zex Model i've worked and working with quite a lot of interesting persons, though now all that is kinda limited due a lack of time. Dana Young (of Cans, Ariel Pink and John Maus live bands etc) provided guest vocals on "Shining Blade" track on 'Mind Slaughter' LP, as well Cory Rowell from Demonologists band on the last track - "Lord"."

Tell us about the next offering from Zex Model titled 'Mind Slaughter' on Desire. How did Desire approach you? What was that like like?
- "Desire contacted me through mutual friend Cory Rowell (from the USA black noise monster band DEMONOLOGISTS), they listened to the already recorded LP (it was finished in summer), and accepted it for future release, which finally was at X-mas 2013."

'Mind Slaughter' seems to pick up right after 'First Mutation'. I detect some differences in the sound production. What did you change?
- "LP is more polished, not as raw as EP. I was more influenced by muddy weird sound of 'Cleanse Fold and Manipulate', as well Cabaret Voltaire funky era-stuff production. The EP was more influenced by debut RevCo album sounding, especially the remastered version which is fucking LOUD!"

Whats the best way in your opinion to experience your music?
- "Smoke a good joint, and play EP or Album on full volume at night."

Do you have any future plans to play live in Europe or the USA?
- "Yeah, for sure, it's only depends on the booking agents, as well offers. Some euro-stuff in planning stage now, to be materialized in mid-2014. Stay tuned."